GUDNI Bergsson paid tribute today to the role Colin Todd played in Wanderers' brave fight to beat the drop.
The Bolton captain said the manager had been "extremely positive and really encouraging throughout the capmpaign."
Todd admitted relegation from the Premiership for the second time in three seasons had been "heartbreaking " for him on a personal note and bitterly disappointing for the club, its players and supporters.
"Nobody likes to be known as a manager who gets relegated," he said. "It's a bitter disappointment to me as a manager, as it is to us all at the football club.
"But I believe the players gave it their best shot."
Bergsson suggested the feeling was mutual when he said: "Although it's been difficult for him, as a manager, bearing the responsibility of it all, he deserves credit for what he has done."
Relegation this time, Bergsson concedes, has hurt harder than in 96 when they finished bottom on 29 points - nine points below the safety target. "In the end we missed out on goal difference," he considered, "so it is much more disappointing this time.
"We need to reflect and have a look at ourselves now, as individuals and collectively as a team, and see where we went wrong.
"I wouldn't blame any aspect of our game - either defensively or attacking wise - for the way things have gone. We gave it our all. Last time in the Premiership was a learning experience; we were definitely better prepared and ready this time.
"But we drew too many games at home and couldn't turn them into wins.
"We can look back and kick ourselves but only for so long. There's another campaign starting in a couple of months and we have to regroup as a club.
"I honestly feel very sorry for the fans who have supported us throughout the season and for everybody associated with the club. It's a sad time but I still feel the club is heading in the right direction.
"You always grow a bit stronger through adversity."
Gerry Taggart, who could leave on a free transfer this summer under the Bosman ruling, hinted that he could still be around when he said: "Hopefully I can help Bolton get back in the Premier League next season.
"We've brought some players in on top of the squad that won the title last season. Now we've just got to knuckle down and hopefully bounce back up.
"That's the only way to prove you are a good team.
"Hopefully we can do it again next season. But the hard thing, as we have seen, is staying in there. The most important thing is staying in there."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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